Anti-Harassment Policy

Whose Turn Is It Anyway? is dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, inclusive, and fun environment for all in attendance regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. For this reason, we will not tolerate any form of harassment of convention participants. These policies apply to participants at all conference venues, conference-related social events, and on conference related communication channels. We reserve the right to remove or ban, without refund, any person who does not adhere to these policies.
(This Anti-Harassment Policy is only part of our complete Policies / Code of Conduct)

We do not tolerate harassment of any kind, including:

  • Intimidation or threats
  • Inappropriate disruption of events
  • Hurtful language
  • Slander
  • Physical assault of any type
  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Unwanted sexual attention
  • Bullying or stalking

Especially in connection to:

  • Race or ethnicity
  • National origin
  • Gender identity or expression
  • Sex or sexual orientation
  • Relationship Status
  • Age
  • Physical or Mental Disability, medical condition, or pregnancy
  • Religion
  • Citizenship status

How to comply with, and help with, this policy

Be aware of this anti-harassment policy and of other peoples’ boundaries.  Be mindful of the impact that your words and actions have on others by not using oppressive or inflammatory speech.  Back up others – if you see someone being harassed or appearing uncomfortable, ask if they’re okay. Don’t engage in any of the prohibited behaviors.  If you are asked to stop any harassing behavior, STOP immediately.

Who to contact with questions/concerns

If you have questions before or after the event about these policies, please contact us via the contact form on the web site (https://whoseturn.org/contact/).

During the event, you can bring concerns and questions to a member of the “Safe Team”. The Safe Team consists of the organizers, as well as non-organizer volunteers, who have made themselves available to help address policy questions and situations. The event program and welcome board will indicate how to contact a Safe Team Member.

What should I do if I am being harassed?

In some cases, you may find the harassment stops if you clearly say ‘no’ or ‘please leave me alone’, or simply walk away. We would appreciate it if a Safe Team member was still informed to help us identify any repeat offenders.

If you continue to be harassed, or notice someone else being harassed, please contact a safe team member immediately. Safe Team members will help participants contact venue security or law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe during the con. The safe team member that you contact will take whatever steps they can to assist you in feeling safe and will connect you with an appropriate organizer or other authority.

You do not have to give us details of the harassment and can choose whether to report.  If you wish to report, we will take details of the harassment and work with you to respond to the issue in a way that assists you in feeling safe, maintains the safety of the wider convention environment, and enforces the anti-harassment policy.  If you report a serious criminal matter, please be aware that we may be obliged to contact the police.  We would, however, consider any concerns you may have around involving them.

If you would like to discuss the harassment without making a report, our Safe Team is available for that as well. Bear in mind that this is for informal emotional support only: our Safe Team members cannot serve in a counseling capacity and cannot guarantee confidentiality.

If you are concerned for your immediate safety, please move to a safe location and dial 911.

Contact Information

Rob Reinhardt (Lead Organizer) – 919.414.7712  o.icarus.o@gmail.com

Durham Marriott Hotel Phone: 919.768.6000

Durham Convention Center Phone: 919.956.9404

Durham Police: 919.560.4427

Durham Crisis Response Center (24-hour hotline): 919.403.6562
Durham Taxi Cab: 919.672.8448
Horus Taxi: 919.637.8833

 

This anti-harassment policy is based on an example from the Geek Feminism wiki created by the Ada Initiative and other volunteers as well as some modifications by OrcaCon.